How to begin researching in Ireland?

[ladyk]

Hello! I have not had to look for many ancestors in Ireland, but those that I have looked for, I have not been able to find. I would like some advice on how to begin searching for James Alexander Rowan, b. abt 1842 in IRELAND (no, I don't know where!) who left Ireland for Scotland where he married Elizabeth McCaig and had 2 children (first born in 1868). What I'm hoping to discover is if he had any siblings, as I'm following a dna match trail. The only documents that I have on James are the 1871 Scotland census, which gives his age and his birth place as Ireland, and the birth/baptism record for his second child, which only gives the names of parents and child. Any ideas on how I might narrow down a search for this needle in a haystack?

[ShaunJ]

Do you have the marriage record?  That should show the names of his parents.

[gaffy]

Just to be aware that a James Alexander Rowan was baptised on Christmas Eve 1843 in 1st Magherafelt Londonderry (presbyterian), the parents were Hugh William Rowan and Elizabeth McCormick, is that a possibility?

Also this article from the Londonderry Standard of Wednesday 21 December 1842, might be unconnected, but just to note:

PARTNERSHIP DISSOLVED

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Partnership hitherto existing in this City, between HUGH WILLIAM ROWAN, & WILLIAM WILKINSON, as Haberdashers and Silk Mercers, and carried out under the style of ROWAN & WILKINSON, has this day dissolved by mutual consent.

Signed,
HUGH WILLIAM ROWAN 
WILLIAM WILKINSON.

Londonderry, 9th Dec. 1842.
The business will in future be conducted by H. R. Rowan on his own account.


 

[ladyk]

Do you have the marriage record?  That should show the names of his parents.

No marriage record as of yet, but still looking.

[ladyk]

Excellent starting point, i shall pursue this and see if it could be the man! Thanks for this tip and the additional notice which could also be related. I will follow up and post if I find anything!

[hallmark]

A lot is based on Religion to start with...

[conahy calling]

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=498742.0

"My ancestor came from Ireland - where do I start?"  link from Irish resources board.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=442233.0

Introduction to Irish records.

[gaffy]

... No marriage record as of yet, but still looking ...

9 September 1867, Dalbeattie, she listed as Caig:

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTRS-WJM

This should help you find it on the ScotlandsPeople website.

[ladyk]

A lot is based on Religion to start with...

Yes, and I'm not sure about their religion!